Alicia Keyes (below) won four awards, Usher won three, but the late Ray Charles dominated the awards categories last night at the Grammys, winning eight including "Album of the Year" and Best Pop Vocal Album for "Genius Loves Company.
It was THE BEST Grammys show in memory and the music was awesome, from the Alicia Keyes/Jamie Foxx duet, to the tribute to Southern Rock (with Gretchen Wilson), Kanye West performing "Jesus Walks," Bonnie Raitt and Billy Preston performing "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?". There were far more highlights than lowlights and here's a handful:, Best quote: "Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn't win," said Kanye West, holding up his award. "I guess we'll never know." (West had a meltdown after the American Music Awards backstage after he lost Best New Artist to Gretchen Wilson.)
Rocker Melissa Etheridge, who is bald from battling breast cancer, was joined by Joss Stone in a strong tribute to legend Janis Joplin. After Etheridge sang, CBS keep showing the lesbians in the front row, and then would switch to cancer survivor Lance Armstrong for reaction shots. Lame.
Franz Ferdinand and Joss Stone left empty-handed, despite their successes at the Brit Awards earlier in the week.
Quentin Tarentino reminded me of Randy Quaid standing there wearing what looked like a ski jacket (with flapping lift ticket) and a wool cap.
Country music legend Loretta Lynn won the Country Album of the Year Grammy for "Van Lear Rose." Her producer, singer Jack White of the White Stripes, said: "We were sitting on the front porch together while we were making this record, and in between songs, she told me, 'You know what Jack? Fourteen of my songs got banned by country radio, and every time they wouldn't play them, they went to No. 1. Well, country radio wouldn't play this one either. Look who's No. 1 now."
Jennifer Lopez being outsung by her husband, Marc Anthony, during their performance of "Escapemonos."
Aren't we all tired of the Black Eyed Peas now?
From the "Why are these people gettin' Grammys" list - Britney Spears won her first for best dance recording for "Toxic," and Bill Clinton won (again) for Best Spoken Album.
List of the top awards:
Lifetime Achievement: Led Zeppelin
Album of the Year: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and various artists.
Record of the Year: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles and Norah Jones.
Song of the Year: Daughters, John Mayer.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: Vertigo, U2.
Country Album: Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn.
Rap Album: The College Dropout, Kanye West.
R&B Album: The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys.
New Artist: Maroon 5.
Rock Album: American Idiot, Green Day.
Best quote: "Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn't win," said Kanye West, holding up his award. "I guess we'll never know." (West had a meltdown after the American Music Awards backstage after he lost Best New Artist to Gretchen Wilson.)
Rocker Melissa Etheridge, who is bald from battling breast cancer, was joined by Joss Stone in a strong tribute to legend Janis Joplin. After Etheridge sang, CBS keep showing the lesbians in the front row, and then would switch to cancer survivor Lance Armstrong for reaction shots. Lame.
Franz Ferdinand and Joss Stone left empty-handed, despite their successes at the Brit Awards earlier in the week.
Quentin Tarentino reminded me of Randy Quaid standing there wearing what looked like a ski jacket (with flapping lift ticket) and a wool cap.
Country music legend Loretta Lynn won the Country Album of the Year Grammy for "Van Lear Rose." Her producer, singer Jack White of the White Stripes, said: "We were sitting on the front porch together while we were making this record, and in between songs, she told me, 'You know what Jack? Fourteen of my songs got banned by country radio, and every time they wouldn't play them, they went to No. 1. Well, country radio wouldn't play this one either. Look who's No. 1 now."
Jennifer Lopez being outsung by her husband, Marc Anthony, during their performance of "Escapemonos."
Aren't we all tired of the Black Eyed Peas now?
From the "Why are these people gettin' Grammys" list - Britney Spears won her first for best dance recording for "Toxic," and Bill Clinton won (again) for Best Spoken Album.
List of the top awards:
Lifetime Achievement: Led Zeppelin
Album of the Year: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and various artists.
Record of the Year: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles and Norah Jones.
Song of the Year: Daughters, John Mayer.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: Vertigo, U2.
Country Album: Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn.
Rap Album: The College Dropout, Kanye West.
R&B Album: The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys.
New Artist: Maroon 5.
Rock Album: American Idiot, Green Day.
